Willow Road Steering Committee Completes Meetings - Lakota Study to be Presented at the May 20 Village Board MeetingThe Willow Road Steering Committee and the The Lakota Group have completed discussions and planning on Willow Road and will present the final Lakota Study to the Northfield and Winnetka Village Boards at their May 20 meetings. The draft Lakota study is currently available on the website and the final study will be available as of May 20. All information from the various community meetings and the study will continue to be available for 6 months following the May 20 meeting. To access this information, click on "Keeping Up On Willow Road" and then click on the Lakota website at the bottom of the page, www.thelakotagroup.com/willowroad.
Village-Wide Clean Up Day - Saturday, May 17 - Items at the Curb by 7 AM
Time to clean out the clutter in your home, garage, attic and basement! All large household items are to be placed at the curb for pick-up by 7 AM on Saturday, May 17. Organize and bundle all loos materials into cartons, bags, boxes, etc. for easy lifting. Items that will be picked up include: furniture, tv's, mattresses, carpeting, clothing, floor tiles, bicycles, lawn mowers, (gas and oil removed), computers and/or printers (not commercial size) and dried water-based (latex) paint. If you have a question about other types of items, call Waste Management, 1-800-796-9696. For disposal of white goods including refrigerators/freezers, stoves, washers and dryers, water heaters or building/remodeling debris (replaced toilets, sinks, tubs, windows, drywall, lumber, etc.), call Waste Management to arrange for a special pick-up. Please dispose of Hazardous Wastes at the appropriate locations. There will be an EPA collection on Saturday, June 21 at Palatine High School, 1111 Rohlwing Road sponsored by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. All welcome. Also, hazardous wastes are collected regularly at the HHW Drop Center (Goose Island), 1150 N. North Branch in Chicago, Tues. 7 AM-Noon, Thurs. 2-7 PM and the first Saturday of each month from 8 AM-3 PM. Call the Village Hall, 847-446-9200, for more information on other locations and types of materials considered hazardous wastes or see your May-June 2008 Northfield Newsletter.
Village Vehicle Stickers Sold at Village Hall Starting May 12
Applications for FY2008-09 vehicle stickers will be mailed May 9 to all Village residents who purchased stickers last year. Vehicle stickers go on sale May 12 at the Village Hall, 361 Happ Road from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday. New stickers must be displayed by July 1, 2008. Vehicles required to be registered and the appropriate fees for stickers/tags are as follows: Passenger Cars - $50; Motorcycles = $35; Recreational Vehicles - $60; Antique Cars - $20; Trailers - $20-$75; Trucks by Class - $60-$120; Replacement Sticker - $10. A penalty of 50% of the license fee will be added to the cost of any vehicle sticker/tag purchased after July 15, 2008. For Senior residents (65 years and older) who participate in the State's Circuit Breaker Program requiring an income of less than $29,480 for couples and $22,218 for single seniors, one vehicle sticker per household is available at 50% discount. Northfield stickers are displayed in the lower left hand corner of the front window (driver's side) of each vehicle including passenger vehicles, rv's, and trucks. Tags are used for motorcycles and trailers. Click HERE for more information and an application form.
Public Works Dept. Begins Hydrant Flushing in Mid-May
The Village Public Works staff will be opening and flushing hydrants to remove accumulated sediment and improve water flow beginning in mid-May as part of its annual fire hydrant and watermain maintenance program. Hydrant flushing will be done in the early morning and can cause discoloration of water. Residents should run their cold water until it is clear. Residents who have questions or need additional information can contact the Public Works desk at 847-441-3810 between 7 AM and 4 PM.
President Birkinbine Responds to Senator's Announcement on 4-Lane Willow Road
Click here to read President John Birkinbine's press release response to Senator Jeff Schoenberg's announcement of plans to widen all of Willow Road through Northfield to four lanes.
Village Partners with Recycling Company to Collect Small Electronics
Northfield now provides an opportunity for residents to displose of small electronics including old cell phones, DVD's, game consoles, MP3 players, digital cameras, digital video recorders and laptops/notebooks. White Plastic recycling containers have been added to the front lobby of the Village Hall, 361 Happ, and the Public Works/Fire-Rescue building at 1800 Winnetka Road for the convenience of residents in disposing of these items. Tax donation letters are available on the bins and can be picked up at the time of drop off. Recycling Avenue is a service of Avenues to Independence, a non-profit organization formed to save the environment by recycling donated, small electronic items that it collects and disposes of in a proper manner while providing jobs for physically and mentally challenged persons. Items not accepted: computer monitors, printers, personal computers and toner cartridges. The Village Hall is open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday and the Public Works/Fire-Rescue building is open 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday.
Red Light Photo Enforcement Cameras Now Activated
Following a 30 day warning period which ended April 14, tickets are now being written for red light violations caught by the photo enforcement cameras installed at the intersections of Willow and Waukegan Road and Willow and Wagner Road. Use of the cameras at these intersections have been installed to help decrease the potential for personal injury and property damage due to collisions caused by red light violations. The automated cameras work in conjunction with red light signals to record images of motor vehicles that cross the white stop line at an intersection after the light has turned red. Sworn officers review the red light videos and determine if a violation should be issued. When a violation is issued, the owner of the vehicle is sent a violation notice and a fine of $75. Any citation not paid by the due date will have an additional $100 late fee assessed for a total fine of $175.
Construction on Edens Expressway Starts April 4
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced the second phase of construction on the Edens Expressway (I-94) starts April 4 and will last until late September 2008. Lane reductions in both directions are scheduled from Lawrence Avenue in Chicago to Lake Cook Road in Highland Park. Left lanes will be closed for bridge rehabilitation and road patching from April 4 to mid-summer and there will be nightly lane closures for asphalt paving from mid-summer to the end of September. For regular updates on work on the Edens, visit http://www.edensi94.com/.
Yard Waste Collection Resumes April 7 and Other Waste News
For residents who contract with Waste Management for landscape waste service, the season begins Monday, April 7 and runs Mondays through December 8 (Tuesdays on holidays). Yardwaste is an optional service that must be rescheduled with the start of each new contract year. This service is available to residents at $46.28 for the 2008-09 contract year. Only paper leaf bags or garbage-type containers clearly marked "yardwaste" can be used. There is no limit on the number of yardwaste bags or containers residents can put at the curb for collection. Landscape materials that will be collected include grass clippings, leaves, garden material and small branches (up to 2 inches in diameter and 4 inches in length). Branches set out for collection must be tied with string made of natural fibers. Do not put yardwaste in unmarked Recycling or Garbage toters or plastic bags - it will not be picket up!Keep all landscape waste separate from regular garbage, rubbish and recyclable materials. To initiate landscape service for 2008, call Waste Management, 1-800-796-9696 between 7 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday. Waste and recycling collection rates will increase beginning May 1, 2008. The fifth and final year of the Village's contract with Waste Management begins May 1 for all residential and commercial services including refuse, recycling, landscape waste, roll off container rental and other miscellaneous services. The basic monthly rate for refuse and recycling of $10.17 for one time per week collection at the curb will increase to $10.45 effective May 1. Refuse and recycling is picked up on Thursdays with the second collection on Mondays.
Feasibility Study of Use of UP Tracks as Bike/Walking Trail Due in April
The final feasibility study of converting the unused Union Pacific Railroad tracks located in the center of downtown Northfield and extending south in Glenview and Wilmette and north into Northbrook is expected to be completed in late April. . The study will show how the unused Union Pacific railroad tracks that travel through the communities can be turned into a linear park/walking/biking trail and connect to the Skokie Valley Trail in Lake County that currently goes to Lake Forest with an extension planned to Lake Bluff to connect with the North Shore Trail. Development of this unused rail line would be a long term project for the Villages and it is hoped that with various grants and donations, this current neglected tract of land can be turned into a strip of beauty providing a nature park for the area, and a walking and biking trail that would offer an alternate means of transportation and "Safe Route to School" as well as provide economic enhancements to community shops and restaurants.
Village-Wide Clean Up Day Helps Get Rid of Unwanted Spring Cleaning Items
Plan your spring cleaning projects and get rid of old or unused items from your closets, basement, attic and garage on Saturday, May 17. Recycle as many items as possible by donating, giving away or by holding a garage sale. Items to be discarded will be picked up by Waste Management and must be at the curb by 7:00 AM. No hazardous waste, construction debris, landscaping waste or "white goods" (stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc.) will be picked up. White goods can be recycled at Abt Electronics on Milwaukee Avenue in Glenview from 2:00 to 7:00 PM Thursdays through Saturdays. There is a recycling fee of from 45 to $30. Or contact Waste Management to arrange for a special pick up of white goods, 1-800-796-9696.
Senior Ride Free Public Transporation Program Starts March 17
Illinois lawmakers have approved free rides on public transportation for seniors ages 65 and older. This program pertains to travel on routes operated by the CTA, Metra and PACE. To use free transit, you must have the senior reduced fare card. The cards will allow you to take advantage of the free rides starting March 17, 2008. If you already have a card, RTA will be sending you a new "smart card" later this year. However, if you need a reduced fare card, North Shore Senior Center can help. Visit NSSC at 161 Northfield Road in Northfield. Bring a color, passport-sized photo (or $5 if you want them to photograph you) along with your driver's license or State ID. NSSC will then submit your applications. Please allow four (4) weeks for your new reduced fare card to be processed. For more information on "Free Rides for Seniors" call the RTA at 836-7000 from any local area code or visit them online at www.rtachicago.com.
Northfield Caucus Board Interview Application Now Available
The Village of Northfield is governed by a seven member Village Board. Board members are elected to four year terms. These terms are staggered so that at least three seats are up for election in the spring of each odd numbered year. Northfield elections are "non-partisan" so that each candidate actually runs independently. Any person who files the appropriate petitions with the election authorities is eligible and encouraged to run for any open seat. Additionally, an organization known as the Northfield Caucus has traditionally interviewed candidates for the Village President and Trustee positions. Any resident who is interested in running for a future board opening may fill out the Caucus Board Interview Application now available on this Village website. To get to the application, click on "Boards and Commissions" on the left side of the Home page and then on Board Interview Application. For consideration by the Caucus for the 2009 election, the Caucus has set an October 31, 2008 deadline for submission of applications. To find out more about the Northfield Caucus, its members and what they do, click on "External Links" on the left side of the Home page and on "Local Organizations" and "Northfield Caucus." If you have questions for the Caucus, email them at northfieldcaucus@gmail.com. Remember that the Northfield Caucus is an independent organization, not affiliated with the Village of Northfield and that any person may run as a candidate for Village President or Trustee irrespective of whether or not he or she has been interviewed by the Northfield Caucus.
Dominick's Closed Until Further Notice
The Dominick's Food Store, 1822 Willow Road, will be closed until further notice due to a structural roof collapse. There were no injuries. All pharmacy records and prescriptions have been moved to the nearby Dominick's in Glenview at 1340 Patriot Blvd (847) 657-3124. Dominick's is offering free prescription delivery to customers of the Northfield store. Any additional inquiries may be directed to the Dominick's Customer Support Center at (877) 723-3929. The files and prescriptions filled were physically transferred to the Glenview store. Any Dominick's Pharmacy can assist Northfield residents in filling their prescriptions. The Glenview Dominick's Pharmacy has asked that customers from Northfield bring their prescription bottles and insurance cards with when requesting refills. The fax # for doctor's to call in prescriptions is 847-657-9173. To call the pharmacy directly, the telephone is 847-657-8691 (Option 5).
Who to Call for Power Loss and Other Problems
ComEd, 1-800-334-7661: For electrical outages (no lights or other electricity). NICOR Gas, 1-888-642-6748: To report a natural gas odor. AT&T, 1-888-611-4466 (repair): For downed telephone lines or dead phones. Comcast Cable, 1-866-594-1234: For Cable TV service problems, burial of cable wires, internet or phone service problems (if service provided by Comcast). Waste Management, 1-800-796-9696: For waste/recycling, landscape waste pickups, special pickups and commercial size dumpsters. Northfield Public Works Dept, 847-441-3810: For water/sewer problems. Northfield Fire-Rescue Dept., 911 for Emergencies; 847-446-2131 for Non-Emergencies: For fires, medical emergencies, ambulance. Northfield Police Dept., 911 for Emergencies; 847-446-2131 for Non-Emergencies. For burglaries, suspicious persons or activity, accidents, gun incidents and other illegal or criminal activities.
Paying Water Bills Is Easy with Direct Debit
The Village Finance Dept. has introduced a free and easy way to pay your water bills - direct debit. Instead of writing a check, buying postage and mailing your check or driving over to the Village Hall to drop it off, when you sign up, your checking or savings account is directly debited for the amount you owe. To get started, just fill out the enrollment form available online by clicking here or at the Village Hall Finance Dept. (361 Happ, second floor). Once the form has been processed, a test transaction (for zero dollar amount) will be created and used to verify the accuracy of your account information. When the words "Auto Pay Date" appear on your water bill, automatic direct debit payments have begun. Once enrolled, your account will be debited on the billing due date unless and until a written notification from you is received to cancel it. Call the Village Finance Dept. with any questions, 847-446-9200.
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